The Overseas Employment Programme, administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) facilitates the selection and recruitment of workers who participate in programmes in the United States and Canada.
The Ministry has been doing so since 1953. The Ministry also monitors
private employment agencies which recruit workers for employment to
ensure that they are operating legitimately.

Currently, the programmes include:

The United States Farm Work Programme;

The United States Hospitality/Hotel Workers Programme;

The Canadian Farm and Factory Programme and;

The Canadian Skills Programme

The
United States Farm Work Programme operates in compliance with the
United States Legislative Authority of the Immigration and
Nationalisation Act of 1952. The Programme originated in response to the
labour shortages, which arose in the United States during World War II.
Over the years, the workers participated in a variety of farming
activities, including planting crops such as shade tobacco and picking
cherry, sweet corn, orange, tomatoes and apples.

The
Canadian Farm and Factory Work Programmes began in 1966 under the
Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) in response to the
increasing demand for manpower in the Canadian Agricultural sector. The
Programme recruits workers who are engaged in planting fruits and
vegetables, greenhouse flowers and vegetables, tobacco as well as
working in factories, nurseries and orchards.

The Ministry embarked on the Canadian Skilled Programme in 2010. It recruits skilled and low-skilled workers to fill Canada's temporary labour and skill shortages. The programme focuses on areas such as:

Healthcare

Transportation

Hotel and Food service

Under
the programme, the skills of applicants are evaluated and assessed to
ascertain the level of competency levels and to upgrade skills where it
is deemed necessary. Below
is a list of the occupations which are currently in demand in Canada
and the type of qualifications needed for applicants.

OCCUPATIONS

3 years experience operating – Flatbed, Tanker or Hauling Containers

Possess a 2 years tractor-trailer articulated driver’s license

5 years working experience in repairing and maintaining commercial trucks/trailers and road transport vehicles

5 years working experience in repairing and maintaining heavy duty equipment

Must be computer literate

5 years working experience servicing motor cars and light trucks

Experience with servicing and maintaining North American, European & Japanese vehicles.